Retrofit - Drivers Cubby Draw - XBimmers

Chudwill · 11-13-2011, 01:08 PM

After owning a BMW 320 and 2 months ago upgrading to the fantastic X3 F25 m Sport, i was missing the drivers cubby that comes with the 'Extended storage' option. There is currently no retrofit kit and the dealer said it cannot be fitted as if not specified as option there would be no room at the rear of blank. I was not going to be defeated and ordered the drivers cubby (£41 inc. postage) from another dealer and set about the brand new dash with a dremel. Here are the photo's and the final completed project. Took about 1 hour to complete and 48 hours of building up the courage to attack the dash.

First was to make up a template of the dash where the box is to be mounted. Then once this fits make a cut out of the cubby and ensure it fits properly.

Undo the 2 fixing screws under the dash and pull the lower section down, this allows you to feel under the dash to ensure there is nothing behind it.

Once this is completed using masking tape, place strips over the dash and mark out the cut out on the dash.

Now this is where i went a bought a dremel and used the same bit that cuts out dry walls etc. This make a fantastic mess and requires a lot of vacuuming. As you can see from the photos. This is the dangerous part better to remove too little than too much. Ensure the dremel goes through both the dash and the rear plastic covering. The edge is very good if the dremel is on half speed, but again its trail and error.

Then its a trial and error and slowly removing the dash edge until the new box fits and clips into place.

I now have a place to put my house keys etc when i drive off and now my car is complete as it should have been. For the money we all pay for the X3 i think this should be standard!!

Richard

troggy1969 · 11-13-2011, 01:15 PM

That was brave in a new car. Glad I ordered extended storage!!

Congratulations on a neat job

torzeck · 11-13-2011, 01:39 PM

Wow, that is ballzy. Congrats on this.

BIMMER UK 76 · 11-13-2011, 02:12 PM

You absolute NUTTER, you must be freaking CRAZY!

Great job and bar the dash dandruff it is an invisible fix

Would have made a great post if it had gone pete tong

I did use this cubby draw a lot in my old 5 series and dont know why it isnt standard issue

April1 · 11-13-2011, 02:26 PM

Great job. Well done, appreciate your will and courage to take up such a risky task on a new car.

xDrive35i · 11-13-2011, 04:09 PM

Wha...how...............

X3buyerScotland · 11-13-2011, 04:17 PM

Recon you could sell these fitted for £80+. I would buy one!

Dr Stig 2 · 11-13-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIMMER UK 76

You absolute NUTTER, you must be freaking CRAZY!

Lol

I'm amazed it isn't a standard feature. I haven't seen one in Oz that doesn't have the drawer.
(but, the quality of the compartment door is flimsy compared to the one in my Z4.. A bit disappointing as it is not always easy to close. You have to make sure your hand stays away from the opening handle or else the latch doesn't engage and it falls open again. Correction. Frustrating. )

Nahoa · 11-13-2011, 06:08 PM

Dang, I can't even get my crap together to debadge the car on my own.

married w/X3 · 11-13-2011, 08:15 PM

WOW! You sir, are a crazy, but talented craftsman.

powertech83 · 11-13-2011, 11:39 PM

Good job

I would be too scared to do this on my own.

AJWilson · 11-14-2011, 02:44 AM

Well Done, Great Job.

turbotoy4me · 11-14-2011, 04:12 AM

Nicely done. I would not have had the courage to undertake that on a new X3.

Chudwill · 11-18-2011, 12:37 PM

Thanks for all the comments, £80 sounds tempting, but my hands would be shaking that much incase i damaged someone else's pride a joy. Had the box now for a week and is well worth the trouble it caused,

Richard

cooldude00 · 11-18-2011, 12:44 PM

wow... i'm also solely missing this function.. would gladly pay 200 quid just to get it sorted!

nice work Chudwill.

Chudwill · 11-18-2011, 01:24 PM

Thanks cooldude00 this missing cubby box is a tempting retrofit business so what would people pay to get this fitted and have a person drill out their dash?

BIMMER UK 76 · 11-18-2011, 02:34 PM

Ask youself the cost of a new dash when it goes wrong!

tank531 · 11-19-2011, 10:41 AM

Chudwill - you are fearless

lbjgh · 09-24-2012, 07:56 PM

I remember someone posting that this modification was possible and actually undertaken by one brave sole.

I got thinking about it when I installed the euro rear fog light switch and noticed the large vacant spot behind the dash.

It really doesn't look too difficult. hmmm

Did the cubby come with all the mounting hardware? How was it affixed to the dash?

Mingstar88 · 09-24-2012, 10:32 PM

im so jealous right now!! i didnt order storage because i wont use any of its features EXCEPT for the driver seat draw. so ballsy

Chris55 · 09-25-2012, 01:56 AM

Mine came with one already installed

. Risky but great job

plymjack · 09-25-2012, 04:09 AM

A brave guy - will look to give this a go but not for a year or two!

Only £40 too... thats cheap for BMW! lol...

11-13-2011, 01:08 PM	#1
Chudwill Enlisted Member Drives: X3 2.0d MSport & 123d MSport Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Posts: 47 iTrader: (0)	Retrofit - Drivers Cubby Draw After owning a BMW 320 and 2 months ago upgrading to the fantastic X3 F25 m Sport, i was missing the drivers cubby that comes with the 'Extended storage' option. There is currently no retrofit kit and the dealer said it cannot be fitted as if not specified as option there would be no room at the rear of blank. I was not going to be defeated and ordered the drivers cubby (£41 inc. postage) from another dealer and set about the brand new dash with a dremel. Here are the photo's and the final completed project. Took about 1 hour to complete and 48 hours of building up the courage to attack the dash. First was to make up a template of the dash where the box is to be mounted. Then once this fits make a cut out of the cubby and ensure it fits properly. Undo the 2 fixing screws under the dash and pull the lower section down, this allows you to feel under the dash to ensure there is nothing behind it. Once this is completed using masking tape, place strips over the dash and mark out the cut out on the dash. Now this is where i went a bought a dremel and used the same bit that cuts out dry walls etc. This make a fantastic mess and requires a lot of vacuuming. As you can see from the photos. This is the dangerous part better to remove too little than too much. Ensure the dremel goes through both the dash and the rear plastic covering. The edge is very good if the dremel is on half speed, but again its trail and error. Then its a trial and error and slowly removing the dash edge until the new box fits and clips into place. I now have a place to put my house keys etc when i drive off and now my car is complete as it should have been. For the money we all pay for the X3 i think this should be standard!! Richard Attached Images __________________ BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d M Sport . . Space Grey . . 368M . . Oyster Leather . . Fine line Wave trim . . PRO Multimedia Package . . Visibility package . . . Lumbar Support seats . . folding mirrors . . DAB radio . . business speakers . . split rear seats . . . Reversing Camera with Top View . . . Variable Damper Control . . . Auto . . . Heated Front Seats . . . Mobile App
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11-13-2011, 02:12 PM	#4
BIMMER UK 76 Major Drives: BMW F25 X3 20d SE Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,080 iTrader: (0)	You absolute NUTTER, you must be freaking CRAZY! Great job and bar the dash dandruff it is an invisible fix Would have made a great post if it had gone pete tong I did use this cubby draw a lot in my old 5 series and dont know why it isnt standard issue __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE Black Sapphire \| Oyster Leather \| Fineline Sienna Wood \| 307 V Spokes \| Auto \| Prof Multimedia Package \| xLine Package \| Xenons \| Business Radio \| Sports Steering Wheel \| Sports Seats \| Panoramic Sunroof \| Sun Protection Glass \| Sun Blinds \| Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille \| Chrome Exhaust Trim \| Mudflaps

11-13-2011, 04:09 PM	#6
xDrive35i Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,503 iTrader: (0)	Wha...how............... __________________ 2001 Audi A6 Allroad 2.7T (C5); 2005 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (C6); 2005 BMW X5 4.4i (E53); 2008 BMW 535xi Sports Wagon (E61); 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i (F25); 2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro Prestige (B8)

11-13-2011, 06:08 PM	#9
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,853 iTrader: (0)	Dang, I can't even get my crap together to debadge the car on my own. __________________

11-14-2011, 02:44 AM	#12
AJWilson First Lieutenant Drives: BMW X3 2.0D SE Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fife, UK Posts: 379 iTrader: (0)	Well Done, Great Job. __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDrive20d SE Alpine White, Black Leather, HUD, Auto, Pro media, Visibility, Climate Comfort,Storage, Cold weather Packs, Pro Loudspeaker system, Sun Protection Glass, Electric Adjust Front Seats, Reversing Camera with Top View, 19" 309's,Variable Damper Control,Variable sport steering, Sports Seats, Sports Steering Wheel. Re-ordered 27/7/11, Arrived 28/9/11

11-13-2011, 01:15 PM	#2
troggy1969 Second Lieutenant Drives: X3 3.0D SE Bluewater Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Omagh uk Posts: 220 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 bmw X3 3.0D SE [0.00]	That was brave in a new car. Glad I ordered extended storage!! Congratulations on a neat job

11-13-2011, 01:39 PM	#3
torzeck First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 372 iTrader: (0)	Wow, that is ballzy. Congrats on this.

11-13-2011, 02:26 PM	#5
April1 Love All Drives: X3 28i 2011 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 735 iTrader: (1)	Great job. Well done, appreciate your will and courage to take up such a risky task on a new car.

11-13-2011, 04:17 PM	#7
X3buyerScotland Lieutenant Drives: 3.0d SE F25 & loving it Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 464 iTrader: (0)	Recon you could sell these fitted for £80+. I would buy one!

11-13-2011, 08:15 PM	#10
married w/X3 1st time BMW owner Drives: 2011 Space Grey X3 28i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 80 iTrader: (0)	WOW! You sir, are a crazy, but talented craftsman.

11-13-2011, 11:39 PM	#11
powertech83 Private First Class Drives: F25 X3 20d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indonesia Posts: 199 iTrader: (0)	Good job I would be too scared to do this on my own.

11-14-2011, 04:12 AM	#13
turbotoy4me First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 BMW X3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: CO Posts: 368 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335i XDrive Coupe [0.00] 2011 X3 35i M-Sport [0.00]	Nicely done. I would not have had the courage to undertake that on a new X3.

11-18-2011, 12:37 PM	#14
Chudwill Enlisted Member Drives: X3 2.0d MSport & 123d MSport Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Posts: 47 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the comments, £80 sounds tempting, but my hands would be shaking that much incase i damaged someone else's pride a joy. Had the box now for a week and is well worth the trouble it caused, Richard __________________ BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d M Sport . . Space Grey . . 368M . . Oyster Leather . . Fine line Wave trim . . PRO Multimedia Package . . Visibility package . . . Lumbar Support seats . . folding mirrors . . DAB radio . . business speakers . . split rear seats . . . Reversing Camera with Top View . . . Variable Damper Control . . . Auto . . . Heated Front Seats . . . Mobile App

11-18-2011, 12:44 PM	#15
cooldude00 Second Lieutenant Drives: x3 2.0d Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: uk Posts: 289 iTrader: (0)	wow... i'm also solely missing this function.. would gladly pay 200 quid just to get it sorted! nice work Chudwill. __________________ it's here!!!

11-18-2011, 01:24 PM	#16
Chudwill Enlisted Member Drives: X3 2.0d MSport & 123d MSport Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Posts: 47 iTrader: (0)	Thanks cooldude00 this missing cubby box is a tempting retrofit business so what would people pay to get this fitted and have a person drill out their dash? __________________ BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d M Sport . . Space Grey . . 368M . . Oyster Leather . . Fine line Wave trim . . PRO Multimedia Package . . Visibility package . . . Lumbar Support seats . . folding mirrors . . DAB radio . . business speakers . . split rear seats . . . Reversing Camera with Top View . . . Variable Damper Control . . . Auto . . . Heated Front Seats . . . Mobile App

11-18-2011, 02:34 PM	#17
BIMMER UK 76 Major Drives: BMW F25 X3 20d SE Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,080 iTrader: (0)	Ask youself the cost of a new dash when it goes wrong! __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE Black Sapphire \| Oyster Leather \| Fineline Sienna Wood \| 307 V Spokes \| Auto \| Prof Multimedia Package \| xLine Package \| Xenons \| Business Radio \| Sports Steering Wheel \| Sports Seats \| Panoramic Sunroof \| Sun Protection Glass \| Sun Blinds \| Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille \| Chrome Exhaust Trim \| Mudflaps

11-19-2011, 10:41 AM	#18
tank531 Deckhand Drives: F25 2.0D SE xDrive (Sep 11) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Coventry - UK Posts: 389 iTrader: (0)	Chudwill - you are fearless

09-24-2012, 07:56 PM	#19
lbjgh Major Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto Posts: 1,232 iTrader: (0)	I remember someone posting that this modification was possible and actually undertaken by one brave sole. I got thinking about it when I installed the euro rear fog light switch and noticed the large vacant spot behind the dash. It really doesn't look too difficult. hmmm Did the cubby come with all the mounting hardware? How was it affixed to the dash? __________________ 2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes Last edited by lbjgh; 09-25-2012 at 07:06 AM.

09-24-2012, 10:32 PM	#20
Mingstar88 Private First Class Drives: BMW X3 35i Carbon Black MSport Join Date: May 2011 Location: GTA Posts: 151 iTrader: (0)	im so jealous right now!! i didnt order storage because i wont use any of its features EXCEPT for the driver seat draw. so ballsy

09-25-2012, 01:56 AM	#21
Chris55 Private First Class Drives: 2013 X3 35d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 158 iTrader: (0)	Mine came with one already installed . Risky but great job

09-25-2012, 04:09 AM	#22
plymjack Second Lieutenant Drives: X3 (F25) 2.0D SE Auto Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Plymouth, UK Posts: 227 iTrader: (0)	A brave guy - will look to give this a go but not for a year or two! Only £40 too... thats cheap for BMW! lol... __________________ Dont and BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE . . Alpine White. . Oyster Leather . . 8 Speed Servotronic. .RFTs. . High Beam Assist. . Electric Seats . . DAB Radio. .USB/Bluetooth

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